Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Nurse Practitioner vs Registered Nurse salary

In United States, a nurse practitioner earns about 54% more than a registered nurse $156,000 vs $101,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner
$156,000/yr
Monthly
$13,000
Hourly
$75
Range
$113,900$207,500
10-yr outlook
+45%
Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$101,000/yr
Monthly
$8,400
Hourly
$49
Range
$73,700$134,300
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileNurse PractitionerRegistered Nurse
Entry (10th)$113,900$73,700
25th$134,900$87,400
Median$156,000$101,000
75th$181,700$117,700
Senior (90th)$207,500$134,300

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a nurse practitioner or registered nurse earn more in United States?
A nurse practitioner earns more, at about $156,000 per year vs $101,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 54% ($55,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A nurse practitioner typically earns $113,900–$207,500, while a registered nurse earns $73,700–$134,300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a nurse practitioner averages about $13,000 and a registered nurse about $8,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a nurse practitioner earns about $113,900 while a registered nurse earns about $73,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a nurse practitioner earns about $207,500 while a registered nurse earns about $134,300 per year.
Are nurse practitioner and registered nurse similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.